Carmine Coppola

With Francis Ford Coppola's expanded Apocalypse Now Redux came the release of the film's electronic score, complete with newly recorded music to cover the added scenes. The original 1979 soundtrack album contained most of Martin Sheen's narration as well as dialogue and sound effects from the movie, functioning more as a souvenir than a musical listening experience and drowning out a lot of Carmine Coppola's music. The new release finally features just the underscore along with other pivotal music cues, including "The End" by the Doors, "Susie Q," and the stirring "Ride of the Valkyries." Originally written for a full orchestra and then realized on synthesizers, the music for Apocalypse Now Redux tends to sound dated and somewhat sterile, even while the recording itself is particularly crisp. Still, it's an interesting and welcome CD (especially for hardcore devotees of the film), even if the "Love Theme" for one of the film's new scenes sticks out like a sore thumb and Mickey Hart's contributions (with the Diga Rhythm Devils) are all too brief. ~ Neil Shurley, All Music Guide